Viral fever is characterized by burning in the eyes, high fever, body aches, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. It is a common condition that is observed in children and adults. The main reason for this condition is a viral infection that can occur in any body part like the lungs, air passages or intestines. Read on to know about the Indian diet plan For Viral fever, Headache and Sore Throat. What to eat and avoid during viral fever, headache, and sore throat.
Viral Fever is an indication that the body is fighting off the virus. The infection can last up to one or even two weeks. It is common for your appetite to go on a complete toss while suffering from viral fever. Hence it becomes highly important to consume foods that can give your body the required nourishment. Foods that are very essential to relieve the symptoms and boost fast healing.
Indian diet plan For Viral fever, Headache, and Sore Throat:
Here is an Indian diet plan for viral fever, headache, and sore throat. The menu is based on the foods that improve your immunity and helps in recovering faster.
Early Morning:
1 cup tulsi, ginger, and lemon tea
Breakfast:
1 bowl vegetable daliya/ Oatmeal with raisins / Oats upama / Salted Ragi porridge
Mid-morning:
1 orange OR 10 soaked almonds
Lunch:
1 bowl moong dal khichdi with 1 cup of kadhi OR parboiled rice with 1 tsp ghee
Mid-evening:
1 ragi pancake/ 1 cup vegetable poha / 1 glass sattu in warm water / 1 glass salted ragi porridge
Dinner:
1 bowl garlic vegetable soup (Beans, carrots, sweet potato, capsicum, onion) OR Chicken soup
+
1 bowl moong dal khichdi with 1 cup of kadhi OR parboiled rice with 1 tsp ghee.
Bedtime:
1 cup hot milk (low fat)/ 1 glass warm water + 1/2 tsp Haldi powder+ 1 tsp honey +1/2 tsp ghee or coconut oil and a pinch of nutmeg powder.
For more options on the menu, you can also check the Indian diet plan for cough and cold as well as Home remedies for chest congestion, cough, and cold.
List of Foods to Eat in Viral fever, Headache, and Sore Throat:
The above mentioned Indian diet plan for Viral fever, Headache, and Sore Throat is based on this list of foods. These foods are comforting as well as they help in faster recovery and improving immunity as a whole. Here is the list of foods to include in Viral fever, Headache and Sore Throat.
Garlic:
Garlic is popularly known for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. A compound called allicin is present in these cloves that help facilitate the immune function and minimize the occurrence of viral fever.
Chicken Soup:
This nutritious soup is packed with proteins, vitamins, calories, and minerals that are needed by your body in large quantities during sickness. It also hydrates your body and acts as a natural decongestant that clears up the nasal mucous. Read – Top 10 easy chicken salad recipes.
Ginger:
Sickness makes you nauseatic more often. Ginger can give relief from this as it has antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. It can be used in cooking or had in the form of tea. Read about the benefits of ginger.
Broth:
The broth is a healthy soup that is prepared by using vegetables, bone or meat. It is rich in nutrients and calories making it an ideal food choice to be had when feeling sick. The rich flavors of this healthy soup can hydrate your body and give relief from congestion. But it is better to prepare it at home rather than having store-bought broth as it contains high sodium content. Read – All about Bone Broths.
Coconut water:
This go-to drink can be your convenient and best bet when you are down with viral fever. Apart from being flavourful and sweet in taste it is rich in potassium content and can fill you up with much-needed energy and also fight off the oxidative damage since it also contains antioxidants. Read – Benefits of Coconut water.
Green leafy vegetables:
Green leafy vegetables contain beneficial plant compounds and are full of fiber, minerals, and vitamins. These vegetables namely kale, romaine lettuce, and spinach are especially known for their antiviral and antibacterial properties that have the ability to ward away viral fever. The plant compounds contained in them fight inflammation as they act as antioxidants.
Protein-rich foods:
Foods that are packed with proteins such as beans, fish, nuts, seafood, poultry, and meat contain a good dose of protein which can provide energy and build a healthy immune system due to the presence of amino acids. These amino acids present in the foods help in faster healing and recovery.
Bananas:
During viral fever, it is but natural for your taste buds to lose taste and become flavorless. Consumption of bananas can be effective since they can easily be chewed and swallowed. They are a rich source of potassium, vitamins, magnesium, vitamin B6 and C. They can increase the count of the white blood cells in your body thereby enhancing your immunity and strengthening your resistance to diseases.
Chili peppers:
Chilli peppers have an active component known as capsaicin that is effective when taken during the time of viral fever. They can ease any kind of discomfort that is caused by the blocked sinus passages by breaking down the mucus.
Citrus fruits:
Citrus fruits such as grapefruits, lemons, and oranges have a high vitamin C and flavonoids content. So their consumption can decrease inflammation and provide support to your immune system that can ward off viral fever.
List of Foods to Avoid in Viral fever, Headache, and Sore Throat:
Knowing about which foods to avoid during viral fever is just as important as knowing which foods to eat. So when you are down with a viral fever the below-mentioned foods are best to be avoided.
Processed foods:
Processed foods have almost no nutrient value. As your body tries to heal itself it is crucial to support it with nutritious and wholesome foods. These foods are not easy to digest and create an imbalance in your body which makes it difficult to fight against viral fever.
Jagged or hard foods:
Hard foods like chips, French fries, crunchy crackers can actually aggravate sore throat and cough. So they are certainly not beneficial to have during viral fever.
Alcohol:
If you normally consume alcohol then it should be stopped during an outbreak of viral fever as it can severely interfere with the natural mechanism of your body. In fact, it can cause dehydration and greatly lower your immune system.
Caffeinated beverages:
The whole class of hot and cold beverages such as carbonated drinks, soft drinks, black tea, and soda drinks can result in dehydration and most of these drinks are also loaded with sugar so it is best to stay away from drinking them.
Meat and fish:
Foods like red meat and fish are difficult to digest during viral fever. Since your body requires more energy in order to fight off the infection it is best to not overload it with such kind of foods. However, chicken in the form of sop can be helpful.
Ice-cream:
Most of the ice-creams are prepared with full-fat dairy which means that it has inflammation-triggering fat and restricts your immune system from running at full capacity.
Dairy products:
Dairy products especially yogurt, buttermilk, and unpasteurized milk products can thicken or worsen phlegm production. Hence they are better avoided.
Fiber-rich foods:
Fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal, raw salads, whole wheat bread, and cereals can stress out your digestive system and result in a tougher internal environment.
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EndNote:
During viral fever, your body deserves proper rest and includes light, soothing and warm foods like khichdi, soups, boiled vegetables, oatmeals, and porridge. But under severe conditions, it is important to check and discuss with your doctors and take the right medication.
The above article is appreciable.I came came across two statements quoted below
“Foods that are packed with proteins such as beans, fish, nuts, seafood, poultry, and meat contain a good dose of protein which can provide energy and build a healthy immune system due to the presence of amino acids.”
“ Foods like red meat and fish are difficult to digest during viral fever. Since your body requires more energy in order to fight off the infection it is best to not overload it with such kind of foods. However, chicken in the form of sop can be helpful.”
The above are two contradicting statements! Please help me understand this.
Hi Dibyasha,
1] both statements are true.
2] If the patient is young and doesn’t have any digestion issues, then the second statement can be over ruled. However, if the patient is 45 + or has digestion issues already , its best to avoid fish . all other fruits mentioned are good.